MORE NUMEROUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

MORE NUMEROUS.

WOMEN CRIMINALS

UNDERWORLD SCHOOLS.

Women specialists in crime, trained in schools of the underworld, are causing increasing trouble to the police forces throughout Britain. Their particular lines of activity include blackmail, the confidence game, forgery, shop-lifting, housebreaking and burglary. The latest available annual statistics for England and Wales show that the number of women aged sixteen and over found guilty of indictable offences was 0779. In 1929 the figure was 6044. It is believed that figures are not a true reflection of the part women arc nowtaking in crime. Many are so skilful that they escape detection. Few play a lone hand. Most of them work in association with gangs of expert men crooks. Women taking part in houscbreaking arc usually employed as scouts. They are called "drummers." Their job is to go to a house, and, if there is no one at home, call the men of the gang, who actually break in. Their next task is to help dispose; of the stolen goods to receivers. Even if the men are caught, their women allies generally escape.

Best Woman Housebreaker. Poorly dressed, wearing an old-fashioned "granny's" hat and hardly able to see over tjic dock rail, a 01-year-old woman was described at London Sessions last month as one of the best women housebreakers in England. She was Ellen Barnes, a cook, who pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a Kensington flat on two occasions. She was sentenced to two years' hard labour, and warned by the Chairman, Sir Percival Clarke, that if she appeared before him again she would go to penal servitude. Detective-Sergeant O Sullivan said that Barnes, a single woman, had had 11 convictions since" 1916. her offences including burglary, housebreaking, theft and false pretences. She was released from gaol last May. "She is a very cunning and clever housebreaker.' , he continued. "She uses false keys. On one occasion she went to a police court, obtained the address of a woman witness, and broke into her house while she was giving evidence." Barnes asked that two other cases should be taken into consideration and Sergeant O'Sullivan said that both these referred to young women whose mothers were in Hollo way gaol. In one case she had produced a letter asking to be allowed to have the keys of the flat and in the other she had represented herself 'as a wardress. "Barnes is a very daring housebreaker." lie added. "In fact, she is regarded .is beiiitf one of the best women housebreakers in England, she is so persistent." Sir Percival, commenting on Sergeant O'Sullivau's evidence, said, "I gather this is an occupation women are taking up now."